How & When to Get
Permits for Work in
Your Home
Presented by: Andrew Espinoza, CBO, MCP
Michael Shannon, PE, CBO
Director
THE DSD TEAM
Melissa Ramirez
Assistant Director
Catherine Hernandez
Administrator
Tony Felts
Interim Policy Administrator
Kevin Collins, PE
Engineering & Environmental
LAND DEVELOPMENT
Terry Kannawin
Assistant Director
Patricia Cavazos
BuildSA Sr. Special Projects Manager
Andrew Espinoza, MCP,CBO
Customer Svc & Permitting Manager
Richard Chamberlin, PE
DSD Engineer
PLAN REVIEW
Amin Tohmaz, PE, CBO
Assistant Director
Vacant
Sr. Engineer
Michael Constantino
Administrator
Phil Laney
Sr. Projects Manager
Code Enforcement
Martin Ruiz
Manager
Code Enforcement
Danny Liguez
Manager
Code Enforcement
FIELD SERVICES
Alma Martinez-Jimenez
Assistant to the Director
Veronica Castro
Fiscal Administrator
Ximena Copa-Wiggins
Public Relations Manager
Jorge Manzano
Interim Administrator
Training/Special Projects
SUPPORT SERVICES
15 Residential Permits
Minor Repairs
◼ Interior Demolition
◼ Demolition
◼ Reroof
◼ Fence
◼ Foundation
◼ Swimming pool
◼ Foundation Skirting
General Repairs
◼ Adding a room
◼ Shed
◼ Garage
◼ Deck
◼ Carport or patio
cover
Trade Permits
◼ Mechanical
◼ Electrical
◼ Plumbing
Minor Repair Permits
◼ Interior/exterior remodeling
◼ Non-structural renovations
◼ Inspections may be required for:
◼ Frame, Insulation
◼ Final
◼ Interior Demolition
◼ for reuse/remodeling interior space:
◼ Wall/ceiling removal
◼ Utility, salvage, selective
◼ Separate repairs permit required
◼ Cost of job
◼ Detailed scope of work
When DO I Need a Permit?
A permit is required if you are…
◼ Removing and replacing siding
◼ Replacing windows and doors
◼ Replacing subfloor/foundation skirting
◼ Installing or replacing insulation
◼ Framing or re-framing of walls
◼ Demolishing a bathroom or kitchen
◼ Removing some or all interior walls
◼ Removing all sheetrock or insulation
When DON’T I Need a Permit?
Exemptions
◼ Broken glass replacement
◼ Existing door/hinge replacement
◼ Paint/wallpaper & sheetrock repair
◼ New siding over existing siding
◼ Carpet, tile, wood, laminate flooring
When DO I Need a Permit?
A permit is required if you are…
◼ Demolishing attached partial/sections
of primary structures
◼ Removing additional rooms or patio
covers
◼ Full demolition of homes
◼ Demolishing accessory structures
◼ City ordered demolitions
◼ Fences +6 ft. in height
When DO I Need a Permit?
A permit is required if you are…
◼ Replacing shingles (except patch work)
◼ Installing shingles on existing ones
◼ Changing the slope of roof
◼ Removing and replacing roof decking
◼ Changing the roof material
What About My Fence?
◼ New
◼ Replacing over 25%
◼ Documentation needed:
◼ Site plan
◼ Fence height and material
◼ Require an engineer’s report for:
◼ Masonry 6 ft. or more
◼ Wood
◼ Chain link
◼ Wrought iron 8 ft. or more
PERMITTED USE FRONT YARD SIDE YARD REAR YARD
Single Family/Mixed
Residential Use
3 ft. solid / 5 ft. predominantly open or
combined
6 ft. 6 ft.
Vacant Lots
3 ft. solid / 6 ft. predominantly open or
combined
6 ft. predominantly
open or combined
6 ft. predominantly
open or combined
◼ Solid Fence:
◼ Wood privacy, masonry, brick, stone, concrete
◼ Predominantly open/combined fence:
◼ Chain link, wrought iron, material separation
Fence – Restrictions and Materials
When DO I Need a Permit?
A permit is required if you are…
◼ Repairing/replacing piers
◼ Repairing/replacing footings
◼ New/replacing wood sill, joist, or
beam
16
When DO I Need a Permit?
A permit is required if you are…
◼ Enlarging an existing swimming pool
◼ Building an underground pool
◼ Adding an in-ground hot tub or spa
◼ Installing an above ground pool
exceeding 5000 gallons
When DON’T I Need a Permit?
Exemptions
◼ Installing a prefabricated less than:
◼ 24 in. deep
◼ 5000 gallons & above ground
When DO I Need a Permit?
A permit is required if you are…
◼ Adding square footage
◼ Enclosing a open patio
◼ Expanding to the rear, side, or front of
existing home
◼ Building a bedroom less than 1,000 SF
Wanting a shed?
◼ Detached storage
◼ If bigger than 300 SF
◼ Documentation needed:
◼ General repair application
◼ Site plan
◼ Inspections needed:
◼ Frame (Engineer Report or Inspection)
◼ Foundation (Engineer Report)
◼ Final
21
When DON’T I Need a Permit?
Exemptions
◼ Playground equipment
◼ Storage sheds smaller than 300 SF
◼ Above ground swimming pools
◼ Fences less than 6 ft. high
What About a Garage?
◼ Attached or detached
◼ Less than 1,000 SF
◼ Full building permit if more than:
◼ 1,000 SF
◼ One story
◼ Documentation needed:
◼ General repair applications
◼ Site plan
When DO I Need a Permit?
A permit is required if you are…
◼ Building a garage
◼ Expanding existing 1-car to a 2 car garage
◼ Relocating garage
◼ Street entry requires 20 ft. from property
line to door
Building a Deck?
◼ Need a permit when:
◼ Bigger than 300 SF
◼ More than 30 in. above ground
◼ Documentation needed:
◼ General repair application
◼ Site plan
◼ Proof of home ownership
Patio Covers and Carports
◼ Attached structures
◼ Documentation needed:
◼ General repair application
◼ Site plan
◼ Proof of home ownership
◼ Inspections:
◼ Frame
◼ Foundation
◼ Final
When DO I Need a Permit?
A permit is required if you are…
◼ Installing pre-manufactured covers
◼ Building a new cover
◼ Building an attached front porch or
rear patio cover
◼ Building a cover detached from the
primary residence over 300 SF
You’ll Need a Site Plan
◼ An overview of your property that
includes:
◼ Existing structures
◼ New structures
◼ Setbacks
◼ A survey may suffice if available
Trade Permits
◼ Required to be licensed by the State of Texas
◼ For mechanical or electrical permit
◼ Check if registered with the City by:
◼ Calling (210) 207-1111
◼ www.sanantonio.gov/DSD/Contractor
◼ Exemption: Homeowners performing their own plumbing work on their
homestead may apply for a plumbing permit
Needed if…
◼ Installing duct outlets
◼ Installing a new A/C unit
◼ Installing a new heat furnace
◼ Adding or moving a hood vent in
kitchen
◼ Adding exhaust fan in restroom
NOT needed when…
◼ Installation of a portable HVAC
appliance
◼ Replacement of a minor parts
◼ as long as the equipment does not
become unsafe
Mechanical Permits
Electrical Permits
Needed if…
◼ Replacing meter loop
◼ Adding/repairing plugs
◼ Changing fans/chandeliers/lights
◼ Adding new lights
◼ Adding a new dryer plug
◼ Rewiring house
NOT needed when…
◼ Minor repairs by a licensed contractor
◼ Cable, telephone, communications
cables operating at less than 50 volts
Plumbing Permits
Needed if…
◼ Installing a water heater (gas or
electric)
◼ Adding or replacing fixtures:
◼ Toilets, Sinks, Showers, Bathtubs,
Faucets
◼ Adding water lines
◼ Connecting to sewer lines
◼ Extending gas piping systems
NOT needed when…
◼ Stopping and repairing leaks in drain
or water pipes that won’t be
concealed
◼ Clearing drain stoppages
◼ Removing and reinstalling a toilet (no
modifications)
Important Document You Will Need
◼ Current I.D.
◼ Deed
◼ Power of Attorney (if not the homeowner or licensed contractor)
◼ A survey
◼ You may also use a site plan
◼ Proof of home ownership
If You Are in a Neighborhood Conservation
District
◼ A review from Land Development may still apply
◼ For information:
◼ www.sanantonio.gov/Planning
◼ POC: Tyler Sorrells
◼ Call: 210-207-7395
◼ Email: zoning@sanantonio.gov
How & When to Get
Permits for Work in
Your Home
Presented by: Andrew Espinoza, CBO, MCP
